Kokomo Tribune
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KILLER SHOW
Wagner 'wows' 'em in 'JEKYLL & HYDE'
By Tom Carey
Tribune Lifestyle editor

He's been a beast.
A prince.
And now, well, Chuck Wagner can't really decide what he is. On stage, anyway.
Wagner is coming to Indianapolis' Murat Theatre next week, starring as both Dr. Henry Jekyll and Edward Hyde in the Broadway Musical 'JEKYLL & HYDE'. Having lived " a pretty blessed life," Wagner recalls getting hooked on theatre while portraying Professor Henry Higgins in a high school production of "MY FAIR LADY."

Wagner rejoins "Jekyll & Hyde" after having originated the dual role in the world premiere at Houston's Alley Theatre. On Broadway he has appeared as the Beast in more than 1,200 performances of Disney's "BEAUTY and the BEAST" (including the Canadian premiere), Javert in "LES MISERABLES," Rapunzel's Prince and Little Red Riding Hood's Wolf in Sondheim's "INTO THE WOODS," and Athos in "THE THREE MUSKETEERS." Avid theatregoers may also have seen him in another Frank Wildhorn musical "SVENGALI."

"I was given a lot of gifts," including a strong voice, he said. And, over the years, "I've grown a lot as a performer. I'm a more professional package than I was 15 years ago, but I still have a lot of youthful enthusiasm!" He describes his current persona as an altruistic doctor. "Basically, his heart is in the right place." But it is an experiment gone awry that removes his inhibitions and allows his libido to be free, bringing out the "dark side of his psyche." The role, Wagner added, allows him to explore "all that's good in a man, and all that's bad...a real animal dual nature." "I'm a Gemini to begin with," he continued. " I see a certain truth in the duality of Human nature." And Act Two's "Confrontation", which he lovingly refers to as the "Hair Ballet," lets him perform the two egos battling. How does he describe the number? " It's a kind of schizophrenic primal scream therapy." The role allows him to display " a lot of passion." Alone, it's a great role, and he loves " to add to that the magic of Frank's music."

He fondly recalls his time in "BEAUTY and the BEAST" as "fabulous...to do anything for Disney is a joy." A favorite special effect from that show Wagner recalled was being levitated 17 feet above the stage and "transformed" into a prince as the last petal fell from the show's magical rose. "It's a breathtaking effect."

"And "INTO THE WOODS" was a metaphoric exploration of sex. In fact, from the Wolf to the Beast and now back to Hyde, I seem destined to play monsters who are a little on the horny side!"

Wagner is also impressed with "JEKYLL & HYDE's" special effects, including fire in the laboratory, bubbling beakers and an Act One fireball, which, he believes, "rivals the fireball under the head of 'The Wizard of Oz' (in the 1939 film)."

Oh, and he casually mentioned that the show's grisly murders are "pretty well done."

His new CD, called simply 'Chuck Wagner,' is available at the show, and includes songs from the aforementioned musicals.

Chuck invites everyone to join in the "Jekkie" phenomenon by visiting www.jekyll-hyde.com , or www.chuckwagner.com .